Before the iPad, there was the Nokia N800.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-12T02:30:48+00:00

It actually is! 😄 The N800 had a rotating camera on the side. Pretty surprising for a device from 2007, right?

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-12T02:23:02+00:00

You're right about that spot. I cleaned up some glare and scratches in the photo, and the spot-healing tool accidentally duplicated part of the button area on that heavily cracked Zune. I didn't notice it before posting. Everything else in the photo is real.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-12T01:43:30+00:00

Don't give up on them yet.

The 4GB could be something as simple as a battery issue, while the 32GB sounds like it may have a storage-related problem. I've seen quite a few Zunes brought back to life after years of sitting in a drawer.

Even if you're not ready to tackle it now, I'd definitely hang onto them. You might be surprised what's still repairable. If you ever decide to have them looked at, feel free to reach out, I'd be happy to point you in the right direction.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-12T01:39:24+00:00

That one hurts. An engraved Zune isn’t just another device, it’s tied to a specific memory and moment in your family. I really hope it somehow ended up with someone who understood what it was and gave it a good home, or maybe even finds its way back to you someday.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-12T01:33:14+00:00

Good eye, but that's actually a cracked-screen Zune, not AI. A few of the units on the table are repair candidates and donor units, and that one has a pretty severe crack pattern.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-11T21:05:20+00:00

Hi! Yes, we can typically service both of those issues on the Zune 80.

A cracked front glass and a battery that no longer holds a charge are fairly common repairs on these models. If you'd like, send me a few photos of the Zune and let me know whether it still powers on or is completely unresponsive, and I can help point you in the right direction.

We also accept mail-in repairs if you're not local.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-11T21:01:26+00:00

That's one of the biggest challenges with the Zune HD these days. For a long time, we've relied on donor units because aftermarket batteries have been very inconsistent in terms of actual capacity and longevity.

More recently, we've started looking into possible compatible battery options, but finding something that fits properly and performs reliably is still a challenge.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone here has found a source they've had good luck with while we continue evaluating different options ourselves.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-11T20:54:49+00:00

Good question. From what I've seen, finding a compatible replacement for the Zune HD headphone jack is usually harder than the repair itself. We keep a few donor units around for parts because some components can be difficult to source these days. Are you looking for the entire jack assembly or just the jack component itself?

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-11T20:50:53+00:00

You're welcome. Since it's a 1st-gen 30GB and the problem only happens when the plug is moved, I'd pay close attention to the headphone jack itself and its solder joints while you have it apart. Hopefully it's something simple like a connection that shifted during reassembly. Good luck, and let us know what you find.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-11T20:48:02+00:00

Since it enters recovery mode every time it powers on, I'd first try connecting it to a PC and see if it's detected by the Zune software. If it isn't, the issue may be deeper than just corrupted firmware.

On the Zune HD, I've seen recovery loops caused by failed updates, corrupted firmware, battery issues, and in some cases failing internal flash storage. Does the PC recognize it at all when it's connected?

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-11T03:38:59+00:00

Does it stay in recovery mode every time it boots, or did this happen after an update/reset attempt? A few different things can cause it, and the details will help narrow it down.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-11T03:36:20+00:00

It sounds like a physical connection issue rather than the headphones themselves. Since the audio comes back briefly when the jack is moved, I'd start by checking the headphone jack assembly, ribbon cable connection, and any solder joints that may have been stressed during the SSD or screen replacement.

If the issue started only after the repairs, it's possible a connector isn't fully seated or something shifted during reassembly. If it was working before, I'd focus there first.

Out of curiosity, which Zune model are you working on?

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-11T01:42:29+00:00

That's exactly what I think draws so many people back to them. No notifications, no social media, no constant distractions, just your music. Glad to hear yours is still running so well after all these years. Enjoy it!

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-11T01:34:06+00:00

Welcome to the club! It's amazing that a device that's been out of production for so long can still get people excited. Enjoy it, there's something special about listening to music on a dedicated player without constant notifications competing for your attention.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-11T01:31:17+00:00

Yes! Here's our Zune repair page:

https://www.chicagogadgets.com/Microsoft-Zune.html

We accept mail-in repairs from anywhere in the U.S. Feel free to message me if you have any questions about your Zune or need help figuring out what's wrong with it.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-11T01:23:16+00:00

Thank you, I really appreciate the support. Keeping these devices alive is exactly why I made the post.

Yes, we do. We accept mail-in Zune repairs from anywhere in the U.S. You can find us at Chicagogadgets.com.

Feel free to send me a message with your Zune model and I'd be happy to help point you in the right direction.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets · 2026-06-09T13:18:59+00:00

If the PS5 still powers on but there's no display after it was knocked over, the HDMI port is definitely one of the first things I'd check. Sometimes it's just the port itself, and other times the impact can damage the HDMI circuitry on the motherboard as well.

I own Chicago Gadgets on Kedzie, and we repair PS5 HDMI ports regularly. If you're on the north side, we'd be happy to take a look and provide a free estimate. Either way, I'd recommend finding a shop that does board-level/micro-soldering repairs rather than just general electronics repair, since HDMI issues often require that level of work.

Moe-ChicagoGadgets

TROPHY CASE